what's currently happening with continuous delivery on the z/os … · 2018-06-12 · •the...

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What's Currently Happening with

Continuous Delivery on the z/OS stack?

Marna WALLE, [email protected]

Member of the IBM Academy of Technology

z/OS System Installation

IBM z Systems,

Poughkeepsie NY USA

June 2018

You probably have been hearing a lot about Agile development and how z/OS is

embracing it. This has resulted in more functions entering the marketplace earlier.

The session will talk about what IBM is doing on the z/OS platform. You will learn

about where to find new functions, so that hopefully you can start exploiting them sooner!

mailto:[email protected]



Agenda

• What is Continuous Delivery, and why do it?

• What is z/OS doing for Continuous Delivery?

• What are IBM z/OS middleware and products doing

for Continuous Delivery?

• How can someone find out about New Functions

added via PTFs?

2



Agenda

What is Continuous Delivery,

and why do it?

3



What is Continuous Delivery and why do it?

Take a step back to familiarize with some concepts…

• Agile software development describes a set of

principles for software development under which

requirements and solutions evolve through the

collaborative effort of self-organizing cross-functional

teams. It promotes adaptive planning, evolutionary

development, early delivery, and continuous

improvement, and it encourages rapid and flexible

response to change. These principles support the

definition and continuing evolution of many software

development methods.[1]

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_software_development

My own emphasis.4

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_software_development#cite_note-rajeshkumar-3


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agile_software_development





• DevOps (a clipped compound of developer and

operations) is a culture, movement or practice that

emphasizes the collaboration and communication of both

software developers and other information technology (IT)

professionals while automating the process of software

delivery and infrastructure changes. It aims at

establishing a culture and environment where building,

testing, and releasing software can happen rapidly,

frequently, and more reliably.[1]

• Agile addresses a change in software development thinking, DevOps works to have a cultural

change.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DevOps

My own emphasis.5

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DevOps#cite_note-3


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DevOps





• Continuous delivery (CD) is a software

engineering approach in which teams produce software

in short cycles, ensuring that the software can be

reliably released at any time. It aims at building,

testing, and releasing software faster and more

frequently. The approach helps reduce the cost, time,

and risk of delivering changes by allowing for more

incremental updates to applications in production. A

straightforward and repeatable deployment process is

important for continuous delivery.[1]

• DevOps has a broader scope than CD, and DevOps focuses more on the cultural change, including

various phases used for delivering software.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_delivery

My own emphasis.6

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DevOps#cite_note-3


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Continuous_delivery




• Consumer expectations rose with the advent of the digital

age, and are likely to continue to rise as technologies

continue their advancement.

• The adoption of Agile and DevOps methods and new

approaches to delivering business applications that use

the new technologies, such as mobile, cloud, and real-

time analytics, present demands on IBM.

• Each area is changing its approach and provides new

functionality regularly and faster to meet the demands.

IBM strives to provide new functions to customers

to meet marketplace demands, and will use Continuous

Delivery. 7



Agenda

What is z/OS doing for

Continuous Delivery?

8



What is z/OS doing for Continuous Delivery?

• The z/OS operating system product (“the base”) has

released a Redpaper to explain z/OS’ implementation of

Continuous Delivery.• “IBM z/OS Continuous Delivery”, dated March 18, 2016.

• Indicates that z/OS will use Continuous Delivery methods for

appropriate functionality.

• Good examples: z/OSMF and SDSF

• Complements the regular z/OS software maintenance process, by using SPEs (

= “New Function APARs”)

• Other functionality is more appropriate for a “Version

Release” delivery cycle.

• Not intended to address z/OS program products that run on

the base. Don’t confuse “the base” with the “the stack”.

• Base stability is Job One. 9

http://www.redbooks.ibm.com/abstracts/redp5340.html




• “New Function APARs”

• Intention is to have the new function turned off by

default.

• You control where and when you want to use it.

• RSU testing performed on the APARs, just as with

other APARs.

10




• Not all z/OS Continuous Delivery functions could be in

“New Function APARs”

• When appropriate, there might be other delivery

vehicles used, such as Web deliverables or z/OS

features.

• Each new function will be considered for its best delivery

method, with base stability forefront.

11



Agenda

What are (some) IBM

middleware and products

doing for Continuous

Delivery?

12



What are (some) z/OS platform products doing for


• IBM has released an IBM announcement to explain IBM’s

implementation of Continuous Delivery.

• IBM United States Software Announcement 216-269, dated

May 24, 2016: “IBM Software Support Lifecycle Policy is

enhanced with a continuous delivery support model for

eligible, on-premise IBM software products”.

• General words about one way an IBM product could do

Continuous Delivery.

• This is a general IBM announcement and does not

impact or include the IBM z/OS base operating system.

• Announce not specific on who it applies to. At all.

13

https://www-01.ibm.com/common/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?subtype=ca&infotype=an&supplier=897&letternum=ENUS216-269



What are z/OS platform products doing for


• Example from announcement…two features for

each product released:

• LTSR (Long Term Service Release): supported for a

longer period of time, no new functions (but some might

be released here), PTFs for defects (including SECINT)

will be provided.

• CD (Continuous Delivery): new functions arrive here,

more frequent releases, fixes intended to be rolled up

into the next level set PTF (or next level).

14





Announcement 216-269 description15




Continuous Delivery? …MQ…

• MQ V9 is one such IBM z/OS platform product that intends the sort of

deliverable outlined by the RFA 216-269.

• April 19, 2016, IBM United States Software Announcement 216-206

• Title: “IBM MQ for z/OS, V9.0 delivers new, more flexible delivery and

support options, standards-based messaging support for additional

environments, and improved management and administration

capabilities”

• “…From this version of IBM MQ onwards, IBM offers a new delivery and

support model that separates out the delivery of defect fixes from the delivery

of any new function.”

• LTSR: latest features at the time of GA, with only defect fixes that are

provided during the support cycle.

• CD: new function is delivered incrementally alongside defect fixes in more

frequent modification-level updates. (++PTFs and FIXCAT of

IBM.MQ.V9R0Mx, and new MOD level FMID).16



Ordering MQ V9 on Shopz

17

CBPDO ordering panel on 23 May 2018, ServerPac has MQ V9 CD at 9.00.05




Continuous Delivery? …CICS TS…

• IBM CICS Transaction Server for z/OS (CICS TS), V5.3 was made generally

available in December 2015 .

• IBM United States Software Announcement 216-036, dated July 12, 2016, title:

“IBM CICS Transaction Server for z/OS, V5.3 is enhanced with continuous

delivery and the IBM CICS Transaction Server for z/OS, V5.4 open beta

offering is introduced ”

• IBM United States Software Announcement 216-354, dated Oct 4, 2016, title: “IBM

CICS Transaction Server for z/OS, V5.3 is further enhanced using continuous

delivery and the CICS Transaction Server for z/OS, V5.4 open beta offering is

updated”.

• IBM United States Software Announcement 217-006, dated January 10, 2017,

title: “IBM CICS Transaction Server for z/OS, V5.3 is further enhanced with the

continuous delivery model and the IBM CICS Transaction Server for z/OS,

V5.4 open beta offering is updated”

“CICS TS V5.3 is adopting a continuous delivery model and is updated

with a number of new and enhanced key capabilities, delivered using the

standard CICS service channel.” 18




Continuous Delivery? …Db2…

• IBM DB2 12 GA’s USA 216-378 announcement on October 4, 2016, “IBM

DB2 12 for z/OS expands the value offered to your business by IBM's

industry-leading mainframe data server”

• Benefiting from enhancements in a faster, more consumable way

• “DB2 12 continually delivers new DB2 capabilities and enhancements in a

single service stream as the code becomes ready. The result is that clients

can benefit from new capabilities and enhancements without waiting for a

new release. Clients can activate the new capabilities when a function level

is delivered. “

• “Function levels enable you to control the timing of the activation and

adoption of new features, with the option to continue to apply corrective

and preventative service without adopting new features and functions.”

19

http://w3-01.ibm.com/sales/ssi/cgi-bin/ssialias?htmlfid=897/ENUS216-378&infotype=AN&subtype=IA&appname=w3skm




Continuous Delivery? …IMS..

• IMS 14.1.0 Publication: Release planning for IMS IMS Version 14

enhancements IMS enhancement PTFs

• IMS uses a continuous delivery model to enhance the most recent in-service

version of IMS. In the continuous delivery model, as soon as new IMS

function or support for new technology is developed and tested, it is

immediately released in a PTF.

• Continuous delivery enhancements are applied only to the most recent in-

service version of IMS. As soon as a new version of IMS is released,

continuous delivery enhancements are applied only to the new version of

IMS, and the previous version is designated as a long term support release

and is no longer enhanced.

20




Continuous Delivery? …COBOL…

• IBM United States Software Announcement 217-012

March 7, 2017, title: “IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS, V6.1

supports the continuous delivery model for new features”

• Enterprise COBOL for z/OS is enhanced to support the

continuous delivery model. Continuous delivery allows you to

receive new and enhanced capabilities through the compiler

service channel. New features and enhancements are included

in Program Temporary Fixes (PTFs) along with corrective and

preventative service.


• May 9, 2017, title: “IBM Enterprise COBOL for z/OS, V6.1

releases additional continuous delivery features” 21




Continuous Delivery? …WAS…


April 22, 2014, title: “IBM WebSphere Application Server now offers

continuous delivery of new features and simplified administration to

help you reduce application time to market and capitalize on new

market opportunities”

• “This continuous delivery model provides new optionally installable

features and function, which can be added to an existing WebSphere

Liberty V8.5.5 installation with no requirement for a version upgrade or

migration.”


June 7, 2016, title: IBM WebSphere Application Server for z/OS, V9.0

delivers the next-generation application infrastructure for modern

applications to support seamless portability across hybrid cloud

landscapes

• “You can find information on installing the continuous delivery features in

the WebSphere Application Server product documentation.” 22




Continuous Delivery? …IBM Automatic Binary

Optimizer…


April 11, 2017, title: “IBM Automatic Binary Optimizer for

z/OS, V1.2 supports the continuous delivery model for new

features”

• “Automatic Binary Optimizer for z/OS is enhanced to support

the continuous delivery model, which allows you to receive

new and enhanced capabilities through the compiler service

channel. New features and enhancements are included in

Program Temporary Fixes (PTFs) along with corrective and

preventative service..”

Other z/OS platform products will surely use Continuous

Delivery. 23



Agenda

How can find out about New

Functions added via PTFs?

24



Ways to find z/OS Platform New Function

APARs/PTFs

1. Subscribe in the IBM Support Portal to MyNotifications.

• Btw, can do this for z/VM also.

2. Watch for monthly “historical” updates on a website, z/OS New Function website

• Btw, can do this for z/VM also.

3. When doing an SMP/E APPLY CHECK, watch out for ++HOLD(ENH).

4. Use the SMP/E FIXCAT for MQ: IBM.MQ.V9R0Mx.

25

https://www-03.ibm.com/systems/z/os/zos/installation/zosnfapars.html



IBM Support Portal for

z/OS already exists

Search on “my

notifications” and then

click on the how-to to see

the instructions to follow.

https://www.ibm.com/support/entry/portal/support

26



Under “Production information and

publications” click on “New Function

APARS”. Also: if you want doc

notification in the same subscription,

select that too.

27



Click on “Delivery preferences”,

to customize your notification

method.

28



Your new subscription to

New Function APARs

might look something

like this.



Directly links to APAR

information from the

internet.



Web site:


31




Summary

• What is Continuous Delivery, and why do it?

• IBM wants to deliver new and needed functions faster to

customers.

• What is z/OS doing for Continuous Delivery?

• Intends to deliver new functions via PTFs, with base stability

recognized as a critical.

• What are IBM middleware and products doing for Continuous

Delivery?

• MQ V9: LTSR and CD releases. New functions in CD PTFs.

• CICS, Db2, IMS, COBOL, WAS, ABO..: new functions via

PTFs.

• How can find out about New Functions added via PTFs?

• Via MyNotifications, website, or ++HOLD(ENH) for the entire

z/OS platform, or MQ FIXCAT! 32



Handy Dandy Continuous Delivery Matrix

33

z/OS Platform Product LTSR/CD FMIDs or

PTFs?

Announced Release

Beginning with…

z/OS PTF …It depends…

MQ 9 LTSR and CD Features

w/PTFs on CD FMID for

new functions

V9

CICS TS PTF V5.3

Db2 PTF, with Function

Level controls

12

IMS PTF V14.1

COBOL PTF V6.1

WAS PTF V8.5.5

IBM Auto Bin Optim PTF V1.2



Supplemental Information:

What is z/VM doing for Continuous Delivery?


April 10, 2018, title: “Preview: IBM z/VM V7.1 will adopt a Continuous

Delivery release model to more rapidly support IBM Z advanced

virtualization capabilities, and provide a foundation to deliver new

function as service”

• “IBM will deliver most new z/VM function as Small Programming

Enhancements (SPEs) in the service stream of the current Version 7

release. When a new release is introduced, SPEs will be delivered on that

release going forward and, with a few exceptions, the earlier release will

receive corrective service only and no new function. When z/VM V7.1

becomes available, z/VM V6.4 will receive only corrective service.”

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what's currently happening with continuous delivery on the z/os … · 2018-06-12 · •the...

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